Forget about the Mi Mix 4; Samsung may be working on a truly futuristic phone for you

After releasing phones like the Galaxy A80 with its swiveling camera module, the Galaxy Z Flip, and the Galaxy Fold, Samsung has shown its willingness to dabble in not-so-traditional form factors and designs. It appears the South Korean may have another such device in the works.

According to Dutch outlet LetsGoDigital, Samsung has now filed a new patent for what looks to be an all-screen phone, quite similar to Xiaomi's Mi Mix Alpha concept phone from last year. However, this new patented device appears to go an extra step. It ditches a frame entirely, while also incorporating a sliding camera mechanism, rather reminiscent of the Mi Mix 3.

Snazzy design apart, the device will theoretically be able to offer novel features including a chameleon-esque change in appearance to match surroundings, simply due to its all-screen nature. Of course, such technology is unlikely to come cheap. The Mi Mix Alpha was priced at over US$2500, and we expect a more advanced take by Samsung to be even more expensive if it's ever made.

Sadly, Xiaomi appears to be taking a break from its Mi Mix series—a line that has offered some of the most influential and impressive smartphone designs yet. The Mi Mix 4 is unlikely to be released for a while, and this device by Samsung may be the best shot at getting a wild, semi-novel design. At the very least, it'll be a lot more expensive than what one would expect the Mix 4 to be.

Just a few weeks ago, there were reports of Xiaomi patenting a design for a smartphone with a slider and secondary design. There's a chance that the Mi Mix 4 takes a similar form if and when it's unveiled.